The hype train hasn’t even begun to roll yet, and Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello (27-10) feels he’s been cast as the underdog for his fight with Gilbert Yvel at Affliction "Trilogy." And that’s exciting to him, because there’s nowhere to go but up.

“Everybody’s already counting me out. I’ve gotta be able to do this, and be able to do that, and I love being in that position,” said Buentello. “I don’t like being in the top position. I love being counted out.”

if he wins, does that give him any legitimacy to fight Top 10 HW's in Affliction? I would think it does, whether for lack of depth or truly deserving it, and he could with a good showing here be a strong force against most in Affliction.

I think Paul is putting up a bit of a smoke screen. I know he's stated in interviews he's going to keep it standing but I just don't buy it. His chances will be greatly increased by taking it to the ground, otherwise there's just too big a gap in the standup.